Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-04-01

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trim garden paths.
Evidently he was not aware that this
was the woman who had taken his nephew
away from him. Roger had withheld the
name, and the other had not had the
curiosity to inquire It. The fact was sufi-
Gent to the infexible old a His
nephew wished to form o connection be-
meath his position in life. The woman had
sufficient shrewdness to see that his con-
sent was necessary to make her marriage
to his adopted heir a desirable one. MIR.
Window congratulated himself on his own
astuteness when he absolutely declined
this compliance with his hot-headed
nephew's imprisoned and very impatient
obstinate natures had met in wordy COM
bat, md both had been wersted, though
each had refused to yield.
They had parted in anger, and Mr..
Samuel Window was trying the effect of
change md variety in his o lonely life;
for, all unacknowledged to himself, he felt
his nephew's detection very keenly, and but
for his pride would have begged him to
com back again.
In the meantime, Nh. Window found
himself becoming greatly interested in this
serious-eyed Miss Lynde. Quite unaware,
Janet had touched the vulnerable spot in
Samuel WINDOWS nature.
He fancied her q fair resemblance to his
dead wife, and she had not dispelled the
illusion by the fashionable airs and a~ffecta-
tions that young ladies generally display.
So Mr.. WINDOWS visit at Mrs. Burdetts
elegant country mansion was prolonged
from week to week, until that lady conf
dentially asserted to her husband her belief
that Mr.. Window intended marrying their
governess; and certainly the lady's theory
was not without sufficient basis, for the
gentleman's old-fashioned and courtlv at
tentions were impressive enough to even
unobservant eyes.
One morning, as Miss Lynde was leav-
ing her room, she was rather startled by
Mr.. Windomfs servant handing ner q letter,
with that gent!eman's compliments.
"Could it be possible that he was really
about to propose to her, as Mrs. Burdett had
broke the seal in some perturbation; and
this was what she read:-
my DEAR YOU'VE LADY, have considered for
some time whether I should speak to you Upon
this subject that lies verynear my heart, or trust
to it the more dispassionate medium of a letter.
For / desire that you should weigh carefully
the proposition have to make you. am an old
man, without q tie that is not mercenary. The
only relative I had living has forsaken me in my
old age for some scheming adventures who
doubtless expected to secure my money too.
Will you come to me in his stead, to cheer and
brighten the remainder Of my days? 1have not
asked you without due reflection and a thorough
study of your character; and to remove you
from my sense of dependency or from future
contingencies, 1 would convey in your name
certain bonds and household property, of which
we will speak more explicitly il you consent to
regard favorably my proposition. In this event
l should also desire to adopt you legally us my
daughter--that you should assume my name,
with oil its privileges, and the assurance. again
repeated, that l am acting upon matured re1ec-
ton and a sincere motive Of mutual benefit.
Truly .sS y9pTs;w ,xnox
Miss Lynde felt extremely perplexed as
she slowly refolded the letter. What
should she do? Would she be hurting Roger
WINDOWS interests in accepting his
uncle's proposals; or, rather, would she not
be rendering him a service in securing him
against others who might be more self-in-
terested than she?
Altogetherit was irresistible, the thought
of reigning in the house where Roger had
lived-perhaps to have him come back
some day to find her there awaiting him.
A little later, then, and Janet Lynde be-
held herself transformed into IN important
parsonage, with all Size luxurious surround
ings and costly accessories that betitted a
rich mans daughter.
Mr.. Window, too, was kindness itself in
his stately, old-fashioned manner, and yet
Janet was not altogether content.
The coming home, TO which she had
looked forward SO hopefully, had not come
to pass, and upon the subject of his truant
nephew MIR. Samuel Window spoke never
q word. 81
"And SO, Uncle Samuel, you have
brought me back all this way to tell me
you have found me q wife? But it is out
of the question. There is only one woman
in the world you could induce me to marry,
and she will not marry me-"
"Wait until you have seen my new
daughter" said his uncle, with an indulgent
and benign smile.
"It was scarcely worth while to quarrel
at our first meeting" thought Roger, as he
came slowly down stairs as the dinner-bell
sounded.
Then he opened the door and entered
the brilliantly-lighted room.
Standing before the fire, with her back
to him, he saw a slender female figure
with soft brown hair braided smoothly into
a crown upon a well-shaped head, and her
trailing silk robe, Of pale hue, hanging in
statuesque folds about her.
She turned slowly, and brought him face
to face with Janet Lynde.
"Janet! you here?" he cried, eagerly, his
whole handsome face lighting up with a
delighted smile. 81 suppose" slowly. as
the smile faded, but with her hand still
tightly clasped in his, "that you are mar
ried?" .
"No, not married." Janet answered..
cat least" he said, drinking in the
beauty of her face with hungry eyes-"at
least you are more prosperous" with q
quick glance at her heavily-jeweled hands
and the richness of her ivory tinted gown.
eyes; I have been greatly blessed" she
answered. quietly.
"And I suppose that you are here
visiting this paragon my uncle
raves about? Janet, do you know
my uncle sent me a beautiful
letter full Of the idea of mutual forgive
ness and reconciliation; and when l arrived,
full of penitence and a sense of my W
shortcomings, behold, it was to marry me
to his new daughter that lie wanted mel"
And Roger Window looked infinitely
disguised at the bare idea.
cit would be q most desirable marriage
for you," said Janet, demurely looking
down.
do not be unkind," said the young man,
with a beseeching accentof entreaty. "For
your sake l went willingly into exile. AL
ready I lave been fortunate enough TO lay
the foundation of a future independence.
A.